O Icarus you didn't fall.

You tried to touch the sky, O Icarus.
Though you fell, you inspire.
You make me want to have faith
and never be afraid to try.

Even so, Apollo melted your feathers of wax,
and burned your skin,
aiming for the sun was nothing like you thought,
and the ocean's thunder your ultimate peace.
Your hands reaching for Daedalus while he had no clue
of how you were drowning,
not because of your search for needless satisfaction
but under the weight of his sins.

You still inspire.
You make me want to give it all up
for that one love,
expecting nothing in return,
and rising above in a world which is already deluged.

Reviews

[Bhuyanshi Talukdar]

This is a powerful and moving poem that really captures the essence of the Icarus myth and the themes of ambition, sacrifice, and redemption that it represents. I love the way that the you used vivid imagery and rich language to explore the complex emotions and motivations of the characters, and the way that the poem builds to a climax of emotional intensity is truly breathtaking. The final lines, "You still inspire, / you make me want / to give it all up / for that one love," are a testament to the power of love and the human spirit to overcome even the most daunting obstacles, and they serve as a powerful reminder of the importance of staying true to our dreams and our passions, no matter how difficult or challenging they may be. Overall, I think this is a wonderful piece of writing that will resonate with anyone who has ever struggled to achieve their goals or to find meaning and purpose in their lives.

[barleygirl]

My favorite of the myths. Love your imagery. Love how a person could read this & understand it without needing to know the myth becuz you provide bountiful description that reveals the crux of everything. I never thought of this myth in terms of loving, as in your last verse, but it's a thought-provoking twist. It's taken me 63 yrs of living to finally understand that most people cannot be loved unless we learn to love this way, without expectation & honoring however a person turns up in our lives. The main point is that you take something well-known & you re-process it by taking the meaning a step further, to a place we haven't yet pondered (((HUGS))) Fondly, Margie

[Fairy Khan]

I think no matter what we do, some people in our life are there to drain us of our being, yet we can never truly hate them; you know you can just expect the worse from them, yet you are hopeful. I don't know what this feeling is called.
Thank you for your inspiring review, as always.
Love,
Fairy

[Lea Sheryn]

I have always had a soft spot for Icarus who was never afraid to try. Inspiring!

[Fairy Khan]

Thanks, Lea. :)

[Lea Sheryn]

You're welcome

[Apollos]

I always enjoy flipping a narrative on its head and providing a different narrative so I love what you did with the story of Icarus.

I like how you zoned into Icarus’ greatest sin was “wanting to come close to him (Apollo) and aiming for the sun”

Enjoyed it Fairy!

What would you define as your “one love” at this point in your life?

[Fairy Khan]

Thank you for the appreciation.
For me, that 'one love' in my life right now is not a person, but a feeling of peace and satisfaction.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

perhaps there was some arrogance in Apollo thinking he could Touch the Sky (pardon me Jimi H.) but to strive for great heights, to be compelled to go for it all...that can be inspirational.
Love the metaphor here, fusing mythology with the myth of oneself...
excellent poem...
j.

[Fairy Khan]

Thanks a lot, Jacob. :)

[Eilis]

I like the turn this takes at the end—Icarus as a figure of inspiration for the timid lover, in a sense. Or maybe not timid but simply uncertain and wishing for a spirit of abandon.

I’ve often thought of Icarus as a tragic figure, so I like the way your poem paints him in a more favorable light while also acknowledging his untimely end. Good work.

[Fairy Khan]

Thank you, Eilis. I have also often wondered why Icarus is synonymous with tragedy. We as humans are doing what we do best, considering only one side of the story where there can be infinite possibilities, which we know nothing about.